1

COPENHAGEN HALF MARATHON 2016 A PARTICIPANT SURVEY

2

CONTENT KEY FINDINGS & PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................... 3

GREAT SATISFACTION AMONG PARTICIPANTS AT CPH HALF .............................................. 3

NPS WITH A GREAT INCREASE ......................................................................................... 3

RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................... 3

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 4

BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................... 4

FACTS ....................................................................................................................... 4

PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................... 4

METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 5

DATA COLLECTION ................................................................................................ 5

DEMOGRAPHY OF RUNNERS ................................................................................. 6

NATIONALITY ............................................................................................................... 6

MAJORITY FROM COPENHAGEN ................................................................................... 6

36-45 YEAR OLDS MOST COMMON RUNNER .................................................................. 6

PREPARING FOR CPH HALF MARATHON .............................................................. 8

RECOMMENDATIONS MOST MENTIONED ........................................................................ 8

CHALLENGING ONESELF WAS MAIN PURPOSE ............................................ 8

82% HAD PARTICIPATED IN A RACE PRIOR TO CPH HALF ................................. 9

50% SPENT LESS THAN THREE MONTHS PREPARING FOR THE CPH HALF.......... 9

ENDOMONDO THE MOST USED APP IN PREPARATION ..................................... 9

NBRO MOST MENTIONED RUNNING CLUB ........................................................ 10

THE ATMOSPHERE WAS DECISIVE FOR PARTICIPATION .............................................. 10

VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE DECISION THAT THE RACE WAS IN COPENHAGEN

................................................................................................................................. 11

POWER ZONES ...................................................................................................... 13

BAS UNDER BUEN MOST NOTICED POWER ZONE ............................................. 13

POSTIVE EFFECT OF THE POWER ZONES ............................................................. 14

SATISFACTION WITH THE CPH HALF .................................................................... 15

TICKET PRICE THE LOWEST ON SATISFACTORY MEASURE ................................ 15

THE ROUTE OF THE RACE WAS THE BEST RATED ................................................. 16

NPS – GREAT INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR ......................................................... 17

FEWER RUNNERS, BETTER ORGANISED START-AND-FINISH AREA WAS

RECOMMENDED ................................................................................................... 17

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK, CONCERNED THE NUMBER OF RUNNERS ............................ 18

VISITING COPENHAGEN ...................................................................................... 19

TWO OVERNIGHT STAYS IN CONNECTIOIN TO THE RACE ............................... 19

HOTEL MOST POPULAR ACCOMMODATION CHOICE ................................... 19

TRAVEL GROUPS OF THREE .................................................................................. 20

ATMOSPHERE IN COPENHAGEN THE MOST SATISFYING ................................................... 20

TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT ............................................................................ 22

BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................... 22

METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 22

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS/VISITORS ............................................................................ 22

BEDNIGHTS AND ONE DAY VISITORS ............................................................................. 23

DAILY SPENDING ........................................................................................................ 23

ECONOMIC IMPACT ................................................................................................... 23

.

3

GREAT SATISFACTION AMONG PARTICIPANTS AT CPH HALF

Overall, participants at the CPH Half are very satisfied with the race, the or-

ganization of the race and the setup.

In comparison to survey results from 2015, this year’s survey found that CPH

Half had improved on all parameters regarding the setup of the race. Ex-

cept for on-course hydration stations, were fewer indicated satisfaction this

year.

The start and finish area had improved the most, from 68% of respondents

being satisfied in 2015 to 84% this year. The critique given on this year’s race

mostly regarded the start and finish area, and specific issues with the area.

97% of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with CPH Half, over-

all. Also, the atmosphere at the race was rated satisfactory or very satisfac-

tory by 97% of the runners.

NPS WITH A GREAT INCREASE

While last year’s NPS on 60.7 was very impressive, this year it increased to

82, emphasising the great satisfaction among participants at the CPH Half.

This is a very positive result for the organisers of the race and only very few

events obtain such a high score.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The respondents that were ‘Passives’ or ‘Detractors’, as according to the

NPS provided valuable information, regarding measure to be improved at

CPH Half for them to have a better perception of the race.

Most mentioned, was the large number of runners participating. The first

few kilometres of the race were the most problematic in terms of number

of runners on the course – they simply found it overcrowded. Organisers

could consider, whether the start of the race could be better organised,

by for example sending runners of in groups with a few minutes’ intervals in

between the groups. Or consider allowing fewer participants, although it

was also mentioned that the great number of people in general also pro-

vides a livelier atmosphere.

The start and finish area, had despite the positive increase in evaluation

since last year, still been problematic for several respondents.

The finishing of the race disappointed the runners. A to better organise the

way the medals were given, was suggested as well as ensuring that it was

clear where water could be found.

The issues with meeting friends and family after the race, could also be

solved with larger exits after the race or a bigger area in Fælledparken for

people to meet up.

KEY FINDINGS & PERSPECTIVE

4

BACKGROUND

Copenhagen Half Marathon (CPH Half) is a yearly event taking place in

the streets of Copenhagen, and comprise as the Danish championship on

the half marathon distance. As the first road race throughout the Nordic

countries, the CPH Half obtained the IAAF road race silver label in January

2016 and just one year later the race received the Road Race Gold Label.

CPH Half attracts a strong international elite field. 7 pro-athletes below the

60 minutes’ mark made the 2016 elite race the strongest on Danish soil

ever. It is only the second time in history that so many made the 60

minutes-dash in a half marathon.

The 2016 winner time of 59:07 was the second fastest in the world in 2016.

FACTS

▪ 21,928 participated in 2016.

▪ 16,7% foreign participants

▪ 83,3% domestic participants

▪ 105 nationalities

▪ Gender distribution: 59% men, 41% women

▪ Largest age group 40-44 years. (15,3%); followed by 45-49 and 25-29

years. With respectively 13,8% and 13,6%

▪ Most participants were aged 26.

Top 5 countries:

1. Denmark

2. Sweden

3. Great Britain

4. Norway

5. Germany

PURPOSE

This report will present the results of the survey conducted among the par-

ticipants at this year’s race.

Another report will be finalised looking in to the experience of spectators

under the race. Both reports have been carried out in close cooperation

with Sparta.

Were relevant, results from this year’s survey has been compared to the re-

sults from last year

INTRODUCTION

5

DATA COLLECTION

The data collection for this year’s survey was done by e-mail invitation to

all the runners at the CPH Half. As every participant, had ensured their

ticket for the race via an online purchase, a database with e-mail ad-

dresses had been established.

All recipients had agreed to receive the newsletter from CPH Half and in a

newsletter sent out shortly after the race a link to the survey was provided.

The invitation to participate in the survey, was followed by two reminders,

sent respectively 6 and 11 days after the first invitation.

The survey was stopped after 30 days of collecting data. This approach

was very effective, and resulted in a response rate of 45%. In total 20,160

received an e-mail with a link to the survey, of which 10,153 began the

completion of the questionnaire.

In total, 8,884 respondents completed the survey and had agreed to the

screening question asking if they had participated in this years CPH Half.

METHODOLOGY

6

NATIONALITY

The Danish runners made up most of the running field, but the race had an

increase in the share of international runners, compared to previous years.

Both in terms of the data collection, but also from the overall statistics on

the runners collected by Sparta.

The data collection last year, found 7% of the respondents to be interna-

tional runners, while this number almost doubled in this year’s survey to 13%.

Official numbers from the organiser Sparta, showed that almost 17% were

international runners. So, the data collected had fewer international re-

spondents than what numbers from Sparta on the dispersion of nationality

showed.

Most international respondents were from Sweden, where close to 5% of

the respondents travelled from. Second largest group of international re-

spondents were from the UK, with 2% of the total amount.

But, respondents came from as far away as Australia, Canada, Russia, USA

and Japan, just as the official numbers showed.

MAJORITY FROM COPENHAGEN

Of the 87% of respondents that were Danish,

67% of the respondents were residents of Co-

penhagen. The second largest group of Danes

were from Region Zealand (19%), while 6%

travelled from the southern region of Den-

mark.

These numbers to some extent match the results from last years’ survey.

Only, there was a slight increase in respondents from the capitol region this

year, whereas the regions Southern Denmark and Central Denmark Region

both decreased a little.

36-45 YEAR OLDS MOST COMMON RUNNER

Just as last years’ survey results found, the age group with the highest rep-

resentation among the respondents were aged between 36-45 years of

DEMOGRAPHY OF RUNNERS

87%

7%

5%

2%

Denmark

Nordic countries

Rest of Europe

Rest of the World

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

n=8884

67% from the

Capital Region

7

age. Last year, it was 34% of the respondents that fell in to this age group,

but the younger age groups this year saw a slight increase, probably ex-

plaining the decrease in the group 36-45.

The average age among respondents was just about 40 years (39.6) again

a little decrease from last year (40.3).

The largest age group in the official Sparta data was 35-44 years with 28%

being in this group, matching the data gathered for this survey.

Overall, the data on age held by Sparta matched well with what the sur-

vey found across all age groups.

1%

11%

25%

30%

24%

7%

2%

Under 18 years

18-25 years

26-35 years

36-45 years

46-55 years

56-65 years

65+ years

AGEn=8844

8

RECOMMENDATIONS MOST MENTIONED

40% of the respondents had heard about the CPH Half from others. Second

most mentioned, as source, was social media (26%).

These two were also the most mentioned in last years’ report, but with so-

cial media being the most mentioned. 37% had last year become ac-

quainted with the race through social media, while 28% had mentioned

family and friends (this year this category is summed to ‘others).

A great increase in recommendations, emphasising runners as good am-

bassadors in the promotion of the race.

There was a difference between the age groups, as younger respondents

to a higher degree had heard about the race from others and/or social

media. More than 50% among the respondents aged up to 25 years had

heard about the race from others and 38% from social media.

Respondents in the older age categories were more likely to have known

about the race, either from participating in other races or from their run-

ning club. The running club was the predominant among runners aged 65

years and up, where 37% had mentioned their running club as a source.

CHALLENGING ONESELF WAS MAIN PURPOSE

Very few (0.6%) among the respondents participated to win CPH Half.

PREPARING FOR CPH HALF MAR-ATHON

40%

26%

26%

25%

14%

5%

5%

3%

2%

From others

Through social media

From the Internet

From participating in other races

Through my running club

Other

From TV

From a newspaper

I don't know

ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE RACE

83% OF NEW HALF MARATHON RUNNERS WERE

MOTIVATED BY THE CHALLENGE

9

To challenge oneself, was in particular mentioned by the respondents that

had never run a half marathon before. Those who had tried the distance

before, were more eager to obtain an improved time.

89% of the respondents said to have obtained their goal or purpose with

participating in the race. Of those, that said they were not satisfied with

their participation, most explained the lack of improved time as reason.

82% HAD PARTICIPATED IN A RACE PRIOR TO CPH HALF

In general, the participants were rather experienced runners, with 82% hav-

ing run a race (any type) previously. Likeliness to have run a race before,

increased with age, so the older were more likely to have already had the

experience with racing before.

The exact same picture showed, when asked about having run a half mar-

athon before. Again, the older respondents had more often had the expe-

rience, but in total, 68% had previously run the 21 km before.

50% SPENT LESS THAN THREE MONTHS PREPARING FOR THE CPH HALF

The respondents did not use many months to prepare for the CPH Half. 50%

of the runners used less than three months to prepare.

25% spent 4-6 months in preparing while the remaining either spent more

time or none, at all (7%).

The variation in number of kilometres run per week in the preparation,

showed that some runners clearly used the CPH Half as preparation for

other races like an ironman or a full marathon.

The question was open and respondents could in their own words say how

they had prepared for the CPH Half. Most had run between 60-90 kilome-

tres per week, while others had combined running with swimming and bik-

ing.

These results only highlight what was mentioned previously that the runners

of the CPH Half were experienced runners.

ENDOMONDO THE MOST USED APP IN PREPARATION

31% of the respondents used a running programme in preparation for the

race.

The graph shows the answers regarding type of programme being used in

preparation of the race. Many had found a good programme through

89% OF RESPONDENTS AGED 46-55 YEARS

HAD PARTICIPATED IN A RACE BEFORE

5%

5%

5%

6%

7%

11%

13%

41%

Sparta

CPH Half website

Personal trainer

Training app

Endomondo

Blog or running page online

My running club

Other

RUNNING PROGRAMMEn=7756

10

their running club, blog or Endomondo. Under the ‘other’ category an-

swers primarily mentioned running books and magazines or programs re-

spondents had made for themselves.

Under apps used, Endomondo and Nike+ Running app were the two most

mentioned with 23% using either of them. Runkeeper was used by 17%,

while the remaining mentioned many different apps.

NBRO MOST MENTIONED RUNNING CLUB

26% of the respondents in the survey said to be members of a running club.

Since most respondents were Danish, the names of the running clubs pro-

vided were almost all Danish. The most mentioned was the running com-

munity NBRO, but also more local running clubs were mentioned.

The older respondents (older than 46 years) were almost twice as often

members of a running club as compared to the younger respondents

(younger than 35 years).

THE ATMOSPHERE WAS DECISIVE FOR PARTICIPATION

66% of the respondents said that the atmosphere was the most important

when deciding to participate in a race. 1

1 The numbers in the graph sum to more than 100% as respondents could select more than

one answer

The atmosphere is something very central in the planning of the CPH HALF

and the organisers very carefully plan many days of activities in the city of

26% WERE MEMBERS OF A

RUNNING CLUB

66%

61%

52%

45%

44%

32%

31%

29%

28%

16%

12%

3%

2%

2%

1%

The atmosphere

The location of the race

The destination (Country/city)

The organisation of the race (events,…

The route (flat, through a city etc.)

The size of the race (amount of…

T-shirt, medal or goodie bag

To participate with friends and/or…

My racing time

Weather conditions

Many participants

Prize drawings

I don't know

Other

Prizes for the winners

WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU WHEN DECIDING

TO PARTICIPATE IN A RACE?

n=37746

11

Copenhagen prior to the race. On the race day, various elements pro-

vided the means for a festive day across the city.

61% said that the location of the race was important and influenced their

decision.

The least important were matters such as prizes for winners and whether

the race had many participants.

VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE DECISION THAT THE RACE WAS IN COPENHAGEN

The location of the race, had a great influence on the respondent’s deci-

sion to participate in the CPH Half2.

Looking across all nationalities, the respondents travelling the furthest were

also those that found it the most important that the race was in Copenha-

gen (81% said the location influenced their decision to a great extent). 60%

of the respondents from the neighbouring countries Sweden and Norway

said the same.

So, the further away the destination, the more the location of the race in-

fluenced their decision to run the CPH Half.

Of the 12% that said that the location had no influence on their decision,

90% were Danes from Region Zealand (the region closest to the Capital Re-

gion).

2 Only respondents from outside the Capital Region were asked this question.

12

1% said they did not know whether the location had an influence, and the

last 1% had other reasons where the setup of the race was mentioned, with

many spectators and events during the race. The route being flat also

made the race popular.

53%

33%

12%

1%

1%

Yes, to a great extend

To some extend

No, not at all

I don't know

Other

DID THE LOCATION OF THE RACE HAVE ANY

INFLUENCE ON YOUR DECISION TO PARTICIPATE?

n=3697

13

BAS UNDER BUEN MOST NOTICED POWER ZONE

Most of the runners noticed one or more power zones along the route of

CPH Half. Only 7% said they did not notice any. 3

On the map to the right, the route is shown and the small flashes.

3 The numbers in the graph sum to more than 100% as respondents were able to select more

than one answer

POWER ZONES

Telenor 90s party

NBRO 64%

61%

59%

50%

39%

28%

27%

7%

Bas under Buen/ Strøm

Nbro

Distortion

Telenor 90's party

Copenhagen Pride

Mikkeller

CPH Half Village

None

WHICH POWER ZONES DID YOU NOTICE?n=8884

14

64% of all respondents noticed the Power Zone Bas Under Buen, where DJ’s

played music from sound bikes. The NBRO team also made aware of them-

selves and were noticed by 61% of all runners.

The least noticed Power Zone was CPH Half Village, but since it was at the

start and finish area, runners could have not perceived it as a Power Zone,

in the same way as the others.

POSTIVE EFFECT OF THE POWER ZONES

77% of the respondents felt that the Power Zones added to a better atmos-

phere and 73% that it was very motivating.

3% said that they found the Power Zones disturbing. The younger respond-

ents tended to be more positive towards the Power Zones, but asked di-

rectly, only 10% of the oldest respondents (aged 65 years and up) said they

had found them disturbing.

Overall, 74% said that the Power Zones had added positively to their overall

perception of CPH Half.

15

TICKET PRICE THE LOWEST ON SATISFACTORY MEASURE

Five measures concerning the setup of the race were rated satisfactory by

90% or more of the respondents. Both the overall perception of the CPH

Half and the atmosphere at the race had almost only positive scores from

the respondents.4

Ticket price received the lowest number of respondents that were either

satisfied or very satisfied. The main difference with price measure, as com-

pared to the measures, was the large group (30%) of respondents that re-

plied ‘either/or’, indicating that they did not in fact have an opinion on the

ticket price5.

Looking at the overall satisfaction with the race, two things influenced the

respondents’ perception the most:

- The atmosphere at the race and;

- Number of participants

4 The numbers in the graph sum to more than 100% as respondents were able to select more

than one answer

5 Respondents could rate measures on range from very dissatisfied to very satisfied, but also

indicate ‘either/or’.

SATISFACTION WITH THE CPH HALF

97%

97%

94%

90%

90%

84%

84%

75%

54%

Copenhagen Half Marathon overall

The atmosphere at the Copenhagen

Half Marathon

Information on Copenhagen Half

Marathon prior to the race

Practicalities concerning registration

Info e-mails from Copenhagen Half

Marathon

The Copenhagen Half Marathon

website

Number of participants

T-shirt (the design)

Ticket price

SETUP OF THE EVENT - SATISFIED OR VERY

SATISFIED RESPONDENTS

n=8839-8864

16

The better the score given on these two parameters, the better the score

given on the overall perception of the race. And vice versa. Opinion of

ticket price had no influence.

To ensure the satisfaction with the race overall, the atmosphere and num-

ber of participants are key elements in future organisation of the event.

THE ROUTE OF THE RACE WAS THE BEST RATED

Most of the parameters concerning the race, were rated either satisfactory

or very satisfactory by the majority of the respondents.

The parameter with the highest number of satisfied or very satisfied re-

spondents was the route or the course of the race. This was also one of the

parameters that respondents rated as very important when deciding to

participate in a half marathon.

The signage along the course worked well according to respondents. This

parameter has seen an increase over the last year from 89% to 95% being

satisfied or very satisfied.

The two parameters with the lowest number of satisfied respondents (bag-

gage drop-off and toilets) were still perceived positively by more than half

of the respondents.

Last year’s survey showed the exact same – and so, the toilets remained

the issue that respondents were least satisfied with. Nevertheless, both pa-

rameters scored just a few percentage points better in this year’s survey.

96%

95%

90%

87%

85%

84%

82%

81%

69%

55%

94%

89%

82%

88%

68%

67%

68%

64%

55%

The course /route

Signposts along the course

The overall service at the race

On-course hydration stations

Guidance to the starting area

Start – and finish area

Provisioning

The speakers in the start- and finish

area

Bagage drop-off

Toilets

THE RACE - SATISFIED OR VERY SATISFIED

2016 2015n=8793-8820

17

Overall, most parameters increased in satisfaction among respondents,

and apart from ‘Guidance to the starting area’ not being asked last year,

the only parameter to decrease its score was on-course hydration stations.

NPS – GREAT INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR

The management tool NPS (Net Promoter Score) is a valued tool in as-

sessing customer satisfaction. In the context of this survey, the runners of

the CPH Half were regarded as the customers.

The NPS measure is based on a single question, asking respondents:

“On a scale from 0 to 10, how likely is it that you will recommend family,

friends or colleagues participating in next year's edition of Copenhagen

Half Marathon?”

The NPS is measured on a scale from 0 –10, where 10 is the most likely to

recommend. Those that give the score 9 or 10 are called promoters, mean-

ing customers or members that are the most likely to exhibit value-creating

behaviours. Those giving a score of 7 or 8 are called passives, and would in

many ways be the neither/nor in older versions of likability scales.

Detractors, are those that give a score between 0 and 6 and they are be-

lieved to be the least likely to exhibit value-creating behaviour.

The Net Promoter Score is measured by deducting the percentage of de-

tractors from the percentage of promoters.

Last year, the CPH Half received an impressive NPS of 60.7, indicating that

a large overweight of respondents were very satisfied with the race.

The impressive NPS for this year’s CPH Half Marathon was, when promotors

were deducted from detractors 82!

That is quite an increase from last year, and generally a very high NPS. De-

pending on type of business, companies that are evaluated to have the

most loyal and motivated customers hold a NPS of 75 or higher.

FEWER RUNNERS, BETTER ORGANISED START-AND-FINISH AREA WAS

RECOMMENDED

The respondents that gave a score of 7 or 8, the passives, were asked a fol-

low-up question. Being very close to becoming a promoter, responses pro-

vided from these respondents provided very good and informative input to

the organisers.

Many submitted the same type of critique with the number of runners at

the race, being mentioned several times. Especially, at the beginning of

the race, respondents had found it to be problematic. Suggestions, such as

organising start groups according to estimated finish time, or 10 minute

leaps between groups, but also fewer start numbers sold were put forward.

Issues with the start and finish area, were mentioned very frequently. Pri-

marily, comments regarded a better organising of the area. When finishing

3% 12% 85%

Detractors Passives Promoters

18

the race, some respondents felt that the way runners were given their

medals was very poorly organised.

Runners, had to go look for the person handing out the medals in between

the trees of the park, who then pulled the medal out of a plastic bag and

handed it over. It was reflected upon as dissatisfying for the race.

Water stations were difficult to find when crossing the finish line, and meet-

ing up with friends or family was too problematic.

So, suggestions such as having volunteers provide the runners their medals

and water just when crossing the finish line were made. A better way of

meeting those who had been cheering for you along the route, or maybe

just a bigger entrance/exit from the runners’ area, would according to, re-

spondents have made the meeting easier.

Although the route, which was the best rated on the parameters concern-

ing the race, it was nevertheless part of the critique. Few respondents, had

found the route slightly boring and wanted more bridges or parks to be in-

cluded. But, most comments regarded some practicalities that had influ-

enced their experience along the route.

Especially, pedestrians crossing the streets, caused disturbances, on the

parts of the route were runners were already running very close. It was sug-

gested that staircases were put up, so people could cross the bigger

streets without bothering runners.

The water cups, made of plastic also caused some problems, as they were

very slippery for the runners to step on once thrown on the ground after

use. Cups should instead have been made of paper, it was suggested.

Respondents travelling from outside Copenhagen to participate in the

race, also found it problematic that the start number had to be picked up

prior to the day of the race, since they had not been planning to go to Co-

penhagen prior to the day of the race.

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK, CONCERNED THE NUMBER OF RUNNERS

Respondents giving a score of 6 or lower on the NPS were similarly asked

what had been found problematic about the race resulting in their score.

Very few respondents had given a low score, but most of those who had,

said that the number of runners were the reason behind the evaluation.

Apart from the overcrowded running route, the start and finish area was

also criticised, and again the handing over of the medals was mentioned.

19

TWO OVERNIGHT STAYS IN CONNECTIOIN TO THE RACE6

Across all respondents, regardless of nationality, 47% of respondents had at

least one overnight stay. When excluding the Danes, it was as many as 75%

who had stayed more than one night.

6 Respondents from the Capital Region of Denmark, were not included in this last part of the

survey

Primarily, the respondents travelling from other countries, than Denmark

and Sweden, had overnight stays in Copenhagen in connection to CPH

Half.

On average, respondents had two overnight stays, when disregarding the

Danes. The runners from Denmark had on average 0,9 overnight stays.

HOTEL MOST POPULAR ACCOMMODATION CHOICE

Hotel was the most chosen form of accommodation among the respond-

ents in the survey.

VISITING COPENHAGEN

25%

12%

25%

23%

8%

6%

HOW MANY OVERNIGHT STAYS DID YOU HAVE

IN CPH?No nights

1 night

2 nights

3 nights

4 nights

5 nights or more

n=11

• 45% HOTEL

• 24% FRIEND/FAMILY

• 19% AIRBNB

• 4% HOSTEL

• 8% OTHER

20

In last year’s survey, it was family/friends that was the most common

choice (43% of respondents in the survey had chosen this option in 2015),

but this year, it was the second most chosen.

Airbnb, on the other hand increased from 11% to 19% in the last year. The

increase is comparable to findings from other surveys, where increases in

overnight stays at Airbnb has been found.

In the category ‘Other’, housing options such as private rentals that were

not Airbnb, were mentioned, but also student housing or summer cottages

were mentioned.

TRAVEL GROUPS OF THREE

18% of respondents replied to be travelling with two other adults on their

journey to participate in CPH Half. On average, travel groups consisted of

three adults, of which one was the respondent.

21% travelled alone, and when looking at nationality respondents travelling

as far as from Australia and USA said they were travelling by themselves to

Copenhagen. Maybe they met up with members of family or friends once

here.

ATMOSPHERE IN COPENHAGEN THE MOST SATISFYING

Of the ten parameters respondents were presented to, atmosphere was

what the highest number of respondents found very satisfying during their

visit to Copenhagen.

Sense of safety and accessibility to Copenhagen were almost as satisfac-

tory among respondents with close to half of respondents finding it very

satisfying.

Value for money scored the lowest, which is often seen on satisfaction

scales for Copenhagen. But also, accommodation options were among

the parameters with the fewest satisfied respondents.

21%

34%

18%

10%

7%

10%

0 - I travelled alone

1 other

2 others

3 others

4 others

5 or more others

HOW MANY ADULTS DID YOU TRAVEL WITH?n=1789

56%

50%

45%

45%

39%

37%

35%

34%

34%

29%

28%

ATMOSPHERE

SENSE OF SAFETY

ACCESSIBILITY

RECEPTION OF LOCAL COMMUNITY

SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS

SELECTION OF SHOPPING

LOCAL TRANSPORT

SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES

SELECTION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

VALUE FOR MONEY

VERY SATISFIED WITH WHEN VISITING COPENHAGEN

n=2519-3272

21

For the selection of activities and cultural activities the low score could be

caused by the respondents group being in Copenhagen, not for touristy

behaviour, but for running the CPH Half.

22

BACKGROUND

In this part of the analysis the economic impact of the Copenhagen Half

Marathon has been evaluated to determine tourism economic impacts

(turnover, job creation, tax and gross profit) of the race.

METHODOLOGY

The tourism revenue reflects the spending of the non-locals, as well as the

international visitors. The non-locals are Danes visiting from regions outside

the Capitol Region.

The model used for this calculation is the (Danish) input-output model LINE .

LINE is used to calculate the tourism economic turnover and derived im-

pacts of the race. LINE is operated jointly by VisitDenmark, Danish Enter-

prises and Construction Authority and the National Labour Market Author-

ity.

The touristic economic impact analysis follows a well-established method-

ology based on quantitative in situ survey (How much money do you think

that you, personally, spent per day (excluding flight / transportation costs

to and from Copenhagen, and admission fee to the Copenhagen Half

Marathon)? Please note your estimate in Danish Kroner, despite not know-

ing the prices). followed by calculations by use of indicators and key val-

ues from macro-economic model LINE, to determine the job effect and tax

revenue.

The analysis is not a cost-benefit analysis, as it only includes the profit of the

race and does not consider the costs of organising the event etc.

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS/VISITORS

This year’s Copenhagen Half Marathon attracted 21,928 runners in total. Of

these 3,662 where international participants, and 6.935 were non-local

Danes from outside the Capital Region.

In contrary to last year this analysis only covers the runners. Family and

other travel group members is not included in this, as it only includes the

spending from the runners and not the rest of the travel group who joined

them on their trip.

TOURISM ECONOMIC IMPACT

23

BEDNIGHTS AND ONE DAY VISITORS

Of the nearly 22,000 runners who participated in the Copenhagen Half

Marathon, the majority where locals with residence in the Capital region,

and are not included when calculation the tourism economic impact of

the race. Those included are the non-locals from other regions of Denmark,

and the international runners.

Non-locals International Total

Total Bednights 3,801 7,019 10,820

One day visitors 4,454 953 5,407

DAILY SPENDING

The average daily spending includes amount spent on accommodation,

meals etc. In general, international visitors that stayed overnight, had a sig-

nificantly higher average daily spending compared to the non-local Dan-

ish visitors. The reason being that they chose commercial accommodation

to a higher extent than their Danish counterparts

One day visitors

avg. spending

Overnight visitor

avg. spending

Avg. Length

of stay

Turnover from

tourism

Non-locals Kr. 258.5 Kr. 872.2 1.53 Nights Kr. 7,933,975

Internationals Kr. 370.6 Kr. 1355.9 2.59 Nights Kr. 11,700,680

ECONOMIC IMPACT

The tourism economic turnover generated from the runners in the race, is

calculated to a total of 19,6 million DKK. This includes revenue generated

from ticket sales. The turnover is equivalent to a creation of 24 full time jobs

of which 15 will be in the Capital Region.

There is a 2-percentage point increase on the turnover created by interna-

tional runners, compared to last year. This is both a reflection of more inter-

national runners, but also an increase in their average daily spending when

in Copenhagen.

Total tourism economic impacts

Total tourism turnover (DKK)

- Hereof turnover from international visitors

- Share of international turnover

19,634,655 DKK

11,700,680 DKK

59.6 %

Employment effect 24 full time jobs

- Hereof in the Capital Region of Copenhagen 15 full time jobs

24

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Wonderful Copenhagen

Research Team

2016